Education Commons^™

Using Manipulatives To Teach Beginning Reading Skills, Veronique F. Rush

All Graduate Projects

Based on a review of the literature, a reading curriculum for kindergarten children was created. The curriculum focuses on the learning of beginning reading skills through hands-on manipulative activities. The activities were arranged into ten centers. Each center related to beginning reading skills. Each activity is self-correcting and requires minimal verbal directions from the teacher.

A Comparison Of Research On The Efficacy Of Workbooks/Worksheets And The Practices Of Primary Teachers, Carol Louise Sippola

All Graduate Projects

Primary grade teachers were surveyed regarding their beliefs and practices in the use of basal reader workbooks and worksheets. These beliefs and practices were compared to theory and research evidence on the use and efficacy of basal reader workbooks and worksheets. Eighty returned questionnaires revealed that participants found workbooks worksheets useful and believed in their contribution to reading achievement. However, only 17% of reading instructional time was spent completing workbooks and worksheets.

Improving Content Area Reading In A Middle School Core Classroom, Richard Têtu

All Graduate Projects

Many middle school students cannot adequately use content area textbooks. This project begins with a review of the research literature related to this concern. The literature review is followed by a content area reading program designed for an eighth grade core classroom. The program is composed of sequential directions and worksheets to teach diverse content area reading techniques. The relative values of different techniques are discussed, and suggestions for future studies are offered.

Literature Strands For The Enhancement Of Language In The Early Childhood Classroom, Wendy Sue White

All Graduate Projects

Literature and activities which support and enhance language learning in the early childhood classroom were examined. Seventy-six pieces of literature were selected along with thirty-two supporting activities. These were all described and matched for easy reference by the classroom teacher. A discussion of the importance of literature for the early childhood classroom, particularly that in which Engli~h is taught as a second language, has been included.

Take Home Reading/Writing Activity Packets For Kindergartners, Jean Marie Czubin

All Graduate Projects

This project was developed to provide meaningful reading/writing activities which would involve the parents of kindergartners in the reading process. Research studies reviewed in literature supported the theory that kindergartners should be taught basic reading skills and parents need to be involved in the reading process. It is currently recognized that parents can do a great deal to develop reading and writing skills at home. Therefore, the role of the teacher is extended beyond the school into the home.

Easing Into The Whole Language Approach, Katrina Lynn Qualls

All Graduate Projects

Literature about the basal reader approach and the whole language approach to teach reading was reviewed. The reviewed literature for this project supports using the best of both teaching methods with the goal being to teach more whole language-like. This could be done by starting with the basal series required by the school district and then easing into a more whole language approach as the individual teacher feels comfortable with it. The goal of the teacher should be to make language learning whole, purposeful, and meaningful. Activities based on these assertions about language were compiled.

The Use Of Volunteers In The Implementation Of A Primary Reading Program, Lynnaie Wright

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project is to supply activities and materials to classroom teachers in a practical and useful manner that will help in utilizing volunteers as reading tutors in the classroom. This project is a compilation of Information gathered from a review of literature based on volunteer tutoring. Programs that have utilized volunteers are studied. Sources for recruiting volunteers, management strategies for supervising volunteers, training of volunteers, and suggestions for retaining volunteers are included in this project.

The Recruitment, Training, And Retention Of Volunteer Tutors For Elementary Reading Programs, Emilee Kay Solomon

All Graduate Projects

This project consists of: a) an overview of four exemplary volunteer tutorial programs, b) a review of the literature regarding recruitment, training, and retention of volunteer tutors, c) a review of a questionnaire surveying reading teachers and volunteer coordinators about their recruitment, training, and retention methods, and d) a guide for the recruitment, training, and retention/recognition of volunteer tutors in elementary reading programs.

Collaborative Reading At Home To Assist Children With Reading Difficulties, Criste R. Goldy

All Master's Theses

The effects of a collaborative home reading program on children with reading difficulties was studied. Students selected for the study were currently enrolled in special programs for reading and/or English as a second language. Students who participated in the Reading-At-Home program made substantial and immediate gains in reading skills, although greatest gains were made by younger students (five to eight years old). Participant reactions were also discussed.

Reading Comprehension Learning Center, Pamela Joy Krocker

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was the development of a reading comprehension learning center that reinforces comprehension skills at the literal, inferential, and evaluative levels, and which also provides practice with basic and sight vocabulary. The contents of this project included a review of the literature related to the topic, a description of objectives on which the cards were based, a description of the materials and methods used to construct the project, and an explanation of how to utilize the project in a primary classroom. Examples of the project including color photographs of the parts of the project that were …

Notification Of A Commercial Reading Program Presented As Learning Activity Packets For Learning Disabled Students, Edna M. Meyers

All Graduate Projects

This project represents a modification of a commercial reading program, with individual learning activity packets as the management tool for the program. The project plan provides for:

1. Program goals and objectives

2. An initial placement test

3. Unit criterion tests

4. Mastery level tests

5. Individual learning activity packets

Each learning activity packet includes:

1. Individual student record and assignment page

2. Individual story report forms

3. Vocabulary words

4. Detailed comprehension questions

5. Individual student/teacher reading contract

This project provides a reading program that meets the unique instructional needs of the learning disabled student in a financially feasible …

Reading Instruction Activities For Trade Books For Use In Third-Grade Reading Curriculum, Laverne A. Schott

All Graduate Projects

Reading instruction activities were developed to be used with trade books in third grade to supplement the basal reading program. Activities developed included comprehension questions and a cloze unit for each selected trade book, as well as general creative and enrichment post-reading·assignments to provide students with reading and writing practice.

Remedial Spelling Book For Secondary Students, Rheta Faye Buoy

All Graduate Projects

A remedial spelling book for secondary students was developed for use in the Chapter I Jemedial Reading Class at Toppenish Middle School. This spelling book was designed to meet the needs and interests of secondary students who perform at the second and third grade level. The spelling book incorporates phonics, creative writing, reading and dictionary skills.

A Syllabus For First Grade Teachers: Introducing Reading As A Functional Skill Through Food-Related Activities And Food Preparation, Tonia Carlene Mckenzie

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of the project was two-fold. First, it was developed to teach first grade children the importance of learning to read as a functional necessity. The second purpose was to develop methods of doing this while simultaneously reinforcing several beginning reading and comprehension skills in a motivational way. Both purposes are addressed in a syllabus for first grade teachers that outlines how to use food-related experiences to supplement a beginning reading program.

The Use Of Children's Literature In Improving The Secondary Remedial Reader's Attitude Toward And Fluency In Reading, Jane Watson

All Master's Theses

A six week course in children's literature was taught to ten alternative tenth through twelfth grade students. The purposes were to determine if the secondary student's attitude toward and fluency in reading were improved by working in easy and pleasurable material. The Estes Attitude Scale and an informal reading inventory were administered to the students at the start and end of the course. No statistically significant difference was found in the attitude scale, but reading fluency increased significantly.

Strategies In Reading Comprehension To Enhance The Reading Of A Ninth Grade Standard First Aid And Personal Safety Text, James L. Bogert

All Graduate Projects

A series of 28 reading comprehension strategies was developed to assist students in using and understanding the first aid textbook in a ninth grade Standard First Aid and Personal Safety class. The strategies included lessons at the literal, interpretive, and applied levels of reading comprehension and were developed to further facilitate students' reading the text with more depth and proficiency.

A Syllabus Of Enrichment Activities To Enhance Content Area Reading In Science, Lynn Carol Swanson

All Graduate Projects

A syllabus of 65 enrichment activities was developed to accompany the third grade Addison Wesley science text. The activities were designed to aid children in transferring study skills, context clues, comprehension and vocabulary from reading instruction to content material. Objectives and teaching strategies were developed to accompany each of 26 skills. Suggested vocabulary activities and materials were included. Each of the activities focused on helping students to transfer necessary study skills, context clues, and comprehension skills to the science text in order to improve their proficiency to read and use the text effectively.

A Practical Guide For The Classroom Teacher To Help Students Read More Efficiently With Emphasis On Speed, Karen Lynne Nelson

All Graduate Projects

This project was developed to supplement the Holt Basic Reading Series. One hundred seventy lessons were designed and sequenced to be used to increase reading speed and flexibility in order to develop more efficient reading.

Strategies For Improving Student Abilities To Comprehend Science Textbook Material, Kathleen H. Coyne

All Graduate Projects

Fifty-five supplementary lessons were developed to be used in conjunction with a science text entitled Introductory Physical Science (1976). The lessons consisted of the following comprehension strategies: (a) structured overviews, (b) cloze procedures, (c) locational skill strategies, (d) vocabulary reinforcement strategies, and (e) reading guides. The lessons were prepared to enrich and improve the reading and understanding of the science textbook.

Utilization Of The American Book Company Social Studies Text As A Reinforcement Tool For Teaching Fourth Grade Reading Comprehension, Context Clue And Study Skills, Mary Joann Stuckrath

All Graduate Projects

A series of 50 lessons were developed to transfer the reading skills of comprehension, context clues and study skills to their use in gaining information from the social studies textbook. The lessons were developed to be used in conjunction with the fourth grade social studies textbook, Environments, American Book Company. The lessons include objectives for each skill, the strategy to be developed and extra enrichment materials required for the implementation of the skill. The purpose of the strategies focused on the student's ability to transfer the reading skills to the social studies textbook and to improve their ability to read …

Systematic Practice In Following Directions, Linda Jensine Falk

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a set of instructional materials that would provide classroom teachers with a motivational method for teaching the skill of following written directions. The set of 180 direction exercises provided practice in applying phonetic elements and structural analysis in the context of a reading activity. Comprehension skills were practiced through the development of key concepts, use of structural words, comparing and contrasting ideas, making appropriate judgments and teaching cognitive strategies. With daily use, the directions provided continuous practice in essential reading skills while eliciting observable consequent behaviors which implied language reception or comprehension.

[Improving Instruction In Reading Comprehension Utilizing Basal Readers], Patsy Carol Cada

All Graduate Projects

The specific purposes of this project were to:

1. Analyze the instructional comprehension questions suggested by the Houghton Mifflin teachers' manual for the basal reading series grades 1, 2, and 3. This included oral questions used to guide silent reading and post-story discussion questions.

2. Develop additional instructional resources to correlate with the Houghton Mifflin basal reading series grades 1, 2, and 3. Specifically created were alternative questioning strategies to aid early readers in the development of a process for comprehending written passages as they are reading.

These resources will be submitted for use in the author's local school district.

Implementing A Personalized Approach In The Remedial Reading Program, Shirley Burton Einarsson

Graduate Student Projects

A personalized reading program has been developed for a Title I remedial reading program in grades one through six. Providing an Instructional reading program that best meets the needs of each student was a major goal. The four instructional categories included were decoding skills, comprehension, vocabulary development, and dictionary and study skills. A system has been developed for recording performance in these areas, plus conferences and books read. The aim was to help each child reach his maximum learning potential.

Handbook For Parents: How To Improve Your Children's Reading (Ages 9-12), Janice De Cordova Beil Rudeen

All Graduate Projects

From this writer's classroom experience, children's reading achievement improves when there is cooperation between teachers and parents. This author felt that a handbook should be developed to help guide them in improving their children's reading. The purpose of this project is to create a handbook which develops comprehension and vocabulary skills. Increased parental involvement in home reading with children will help the children to read better to enjoy it. Parents have powerful influence on their children in developing reading interests. This paper deals with parental participation in improving children's reading from age pre-kindergarten to twelve. The handbook deals with the …

Reading Strategies For Content Teachers, Constance Dallman Luna

All Graduate Projects

This project, designed for content teachers wishing to improve their students' reading skills, includes lesson plans, procedures, and materials for learning modules in the following content field reading problem areas: readability, vocabulary, diagnosis, questioning, using the textbook, organizing for instruction, and notetaking and listening. The key recommendation was that the project be seen as an evolving process and not as an end product.

A Language Arts Curriculum For The Seventh Grade At Morgan Junior High School, Lois A. Fisher, Marianne Mcafee

All Graduate Projects

The goal of this project is to develop a meaningful program for Seventh Grade Language Arts. The factors to consider are the following: (1) handling large numbers of students, (2) meeting varied interests and abilities, (3) using available materials profitably and efficiently, (4) selecting specific skills and determining the amount of emphasis given the skills, (5) utilizing the physical setting.

Personalized Reading Program For Intermediate Grades, Pamela Kay Kelly

All Graduate Projects

As the reading specialist in an elementary school, it was my responsibility to assist the classroom teachers with their reading program; specifically, with those students who were having difficulty. It was not feasible for me to meet with all who needed help; at the most, I could help forty-three students per week. The pace at which I had to function to assess and meet their individual needs became too great. In view of this situation, the following program was designed to stimulate every intermediate student's desire to read and to do so at his own pace.

Comparison Of Effectiveness Of Basal Readers And Sullivan Programmed Materials, Joan E. Lorenz

All Master's Theses

The aim of this study is not to tear down or ridicule any method, Sullivan Programmed or Traditional Basal, but to evaluate as objectively as possible, the merits and limitations which exist in both and to show, through testing a group of 99 first graders and 64 second graders, the possible effectiveness of these methods.

A Comparison Of The Language Achievement Levels Of The Mexican-American Migrant Child With That Of The Mexican-American Non-Migrant Child, Kieth L. Miller

All Master's Theses

This study was undertaken in order to determine what differences exist between Spanish speaking migrant children and Spanish speaking non-migrant children in the area of Reading and Word Knowledge.

A Study Of Reading In The Kindergartens Of Washington State, Valara Caroline Minear

All Master's Theses

A study was made to discover the attitudes of kindergarten teachers in the state of Washington toward teaching reading in kindergarten, and the actual practices used to teach reading.